ISLAMABAD: The Opposition this evening [Nov 29] made an abortive attempt in the National Assembly to raise a discussion on the Federal Government’s reported talks with the NAP leaders from Baluchistan, at present in detention, for the formation of a coalition Government in the province. Jamaat-i-Islami’s Mahmud Azam Faruqi, moving the motion, quoted newspaper reports saying that the Central Minister, Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, had held a four-hour session with Mr. Ghaus Baksh Bizenjo and Mr. Ataullah Mengal in the Sihala Rest House where they were detained. …

This, he added, had caused doubts in the minds of the people whether these NAP leaders had been detained on political grounds — on baseless charges, or was the Federal Government handing over the Government of Baluchistan to criminals. The PPP’s Malik Akhter opposed the motion on the ground that the facts contained in it were denied by Mr. Jatoi — which was reported in newspapers. … Mr Faruqi refused to accept Mr. Jatoi’s denial as authentic unless it was made on the floor of the House. However, the motion was ruled out of order on the ground that no official confirmation of Mr. Jatoi’s meeting with NAP leaders was available. — Special representative

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2023